Posted on 04 July 2011
OTTAWA, July 4, 2011 - Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette deplores the way the Conservative government has devalued Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) since coming to power in 2006.
"The Conservatives have never believed in the CANDU technology and have done everything to devalue AECL. The selling price of $ 15 million is a joke that does not reflect the real value of the company and is not in the best interest of Canadian taxpayers," said Senator Hervieux-Payette.
The Senator emphasizes that Conservative governments have always had a habit of making fire sales of crown corporations. "We saw the same thing with Brian Mulroney when he sold CN for a pittance. Stephen Harper has the same ideology. This is the beginning of the dismantling of our collective assets."
The Senator noted that AECL is the property of a Canadian company. "SNC-Lavalin has the expertise necessary to safely operate this strategic industry," she said.
"I am worried about AECL's 2000 talented employees and for the future of Canadian nuclear technology. SNC-Lavalin will now have to face the fierce competition of foreign states alone," concluded the Senator.
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Paul Lussier
Legislative assistant
Office of the Hon. Céline Hervieux-Payette, PC
613-947-8008 – lussip@sen.parl.gc.ca